Rationalization And Harmonization Of Seed Policies And Regulations In Eastern And Central Africa: Effecting Policy Change Through Private Public Partnerships

Author: I. MINDE M. WAITHAKA

Year: 2006

Category: Corporate Reports

Abstract

Most economies in sub-Saharan Africa are based on agriculture. Sluggish growth in agricultural production translates into slow growth and low per capita incomes (ASARECA, 2005). In eastern and southern Africa, national average yields of maize (the main staple) are about 1.5 tons per ha compared with a global average of 4.5 tons per ha (ASARECA, 2005). This can be partly attributed to limited development of commercial seed markets: less than 10% of the seed planted is purchased from the formal market (Rohrbach et al; 2003). Seed markets in the region are small and highly fragmented; with closed national markets dominated by a few international companies and parastatals, and restrictive laws, regulations and policies. As a result, many released varieties have never been widely disseminated.

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